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Franklin High School FBA Presents this program Thursday night at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.
February 22, 2019 7:30 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
1028 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-1598
8285241598
As seen on Facebook, PeopleNow, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, People.com, and Pickler & Ben.
My name is Jay Allen. I'm a country music artist and songwriter signed to Sony/ATV in Nashville, TN.
My mom has early onset Alzheimer's, and at the age of only 52, she's now showing signs of stage 6. It's something that has affected my family deeply, something that we can't escape, and it brings me to my knees most days.
I grew up in small town rural Iowa with mom(Sherry), dad(Joe), and my two baby sisters(Cassie and Amber). We didn't have a lot, but our parents always seemed to find a way, sometimes working 2-3 jobs each to make sure we had enough. Looking back, it was a humbling childhood, but what I think affected me most was my mother's affection and selflessness towards all of us. She always put her children first, no matter what the sacrifice. If we wanted some stupid toy for Christmas, she would work the overtime or pick up an extra shift. She didn't care what it took, she just wanted us to be happy.
When I was in middle school, I remember asking my mom what she would change to make her life better if she could go back in time.
Her response was, "I wouldn't change a thing. I was made to be a good mom. I live for you kids."
Now that I'm older, I hold onto those words as I watch this horrible disease steal away a beautiful woman. Sometimes I want to yell at God when I hear her stumble through a simple sentence, or when I look at her and feel like she's not even there anymore. It makes me so mad, and it kills me that I can't fix it. But then there are the moments of hope, when dad brings her to visit Nashville and we dance all night at The Sutler…or when she grins and taps her foot to the live music…or when I wrap my arms around her, and she takes a deep breath and says, "I've missed you, Jay."
Her words, the good memories, and the moments of joy - that's what I hold onto.
As a songwriter and up-and-coming artist, I feel that I have an obligation to be a positive role-model, and to also give back by utilizing the gifts that God has blessed me with. In realizing the importance of this, I finally found the courage to write a song about my experience, called "Blank Stares". My vision is that this song will raise awareness, bring hope to those affected, and most importantly, become a weapon in the fight against Alzheimer's.
From the moment he enters a room, it becomes clear that Jay Allen is here to tell his story. The tattoo-clad singer/songwriter has his heart inked on his sleeve, so to speak, and sings with conviction onstage that stems from the lessons his parents taught him and the music he heard around the house. Knowing the stage was the only place he wanted to be, and so Jay packed his bags and moved to Nashville. Working day and night, Jay has achieved major milestones in the course of the past few years: he’s signed a publishing and development deal with Sony/ATV publishing, enlisted management team Edge Artist Management and released a five-song EP, which produced his first hit single Sounds Good To Me dubbed a Highway Find on SiriusXM’s The Highway.
The budding musician continued to perform and write, honing his craft with the likes of ACM-nominated songwriter Phil Barton and Lindsay Rimes, both credited as co-writers on his debut single. Born and raised in rural Iowa, Jay discovered his love of performing one Sunday amidst the congregation of his church, Jay initially attempted singing harmonies with the ladies, much to the chagrin of his pastor. Proving his chops, he was invited to sing solo the following Sunday and thus, a passion was born: “There’s nothing like being on the stage. When the lights come up and the band starts playing and I get behind that mic , I’m alive. To spending every day writing, then see your songs come to life on a record, then see people laughing and dancing along, it’s heaven on earth.”
